Queenstown Gardens

Queenstown Gardens is a botanical garden on a Lake Whakatipu peninsula spanning roughly 15 hectares with varied plantings. The grounds mix introduced conifers like Douglas firs with native plants, a large pond, and views toward surrounding mountains.

The gardens began in 1866 when Mayor James Robertson and nurseryman McConnochie planted two English oaks to mark the borough's incorporation. Those initial trees formed the foundation for what grew into this established landscape.

The gardens honor William Rees, an early settler whose memorial from 1978 marks his influence on the town's founding. Visitors can see how the community values and displays its local heritage throughout the grounds.

The gardens feature tennis courts, lawn bowls facilities, a disc golf course, and skateboarding areas for active recreation. An ice skating rink with equipment rentals rounds out the options, making the space suitable for many different interests.

The grounds host a mix of native and introduced bird species like tui, bellbirds, and Australasian crested grebe alongside sparrows and blackbirds. This blend reveals how the original wildlife coexists with species that arrived through settlement.